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September is a heritage month where South Africans celebrate and embrace the diversity of cultures and heritage.
In 2006 the Mpondo Nation founded the Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival which takes place every year. The aim of the festival is to promote, share and preserve the culture and heritage of Mpondo Nation. This year’s festival will take place from 10-11 September in Ntabankulu. The festival is commonly known as Umgubho wamaMpondo which will be preceded by the Mpondo Reed Dance. In promoting the diversity of cultures the event will be attended by various South African and beyond cultures which includes Pedi, Xhosa, South, Ndebele, Bhaca, Tsonga and Tswana Kingdom and Chieftainships.
To deliver the key note address, the Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival has invited the Premier of the Eastern Cape to do the honors. Amongst the people who will be attending the event will be the Mayor’s of Ntabankulu, Alfred Nzo District Municipality and Winnie Madikizela Mandela. Speakers who will be delivering the message of support includes the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, Ambassador of Turkey to South Africa Her Excellency Kandas, King of amaXhosa Ahlangene Sigcau, King Mampuru IV of amaPedi, Nkosi Magodongo Mahlangu of Amandzundza nation, Nkosi Mabhena of Amandebele and representing the Eswatini Kingdom will Prince Nokdimphile Dlamini. The acting Queen of Amampondo Kingdom, Nobandla Sigcau will deliver a speech.
The Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival also hand over awards and recipients of this awards include the CEO of Freedom Park Ms Jane Mufumadi, Mr Richard Mabaso CEO of Imbumba Foundation, Zolani Mkiva who is the member of parliament will receive the Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau Memorial Award and Dr Avela Mayekiso will be awarded with the Princess Stella Sigcau II Award.
Artists who will perform and showcase their exhibitions include artists from Botswana and Turkey.
The event aims to boost the cultural and rural economy, by doing so the festival will have activities such as Mpondo horse parade, traditional dances, visiting sites like Magwa falls, Wild coast and Mbotyi.
In celebrating the Mpondo Reed Dance, maidens from Bhaca, Xhosa, Pedi Ndebele and Ndzundza are expected to join the Mpondo maidens.
Prior to cultural celebrations, there will be a Princess Stella Sigcau II manufacturing skills training initiatives that include shoes, sandals meat processing and cosmetics in Lusikisiki, Ntabankulu, Mbizana and eMaxesibeni.
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